Historically Thinking

At the outbreak of the American Revolution, the British Empire stretched across nearly every corner of the globe. From India to the Caribbean, from Africa to Gibraltar to the Canadian provinces, Britain’s reach was vast. In 1776, the thirteen colonies that chose to rebel represented only half of the empire’s provinces. The other half—places like Quebec, Nova Scotia, Jamaica, and Bermuda—remained loyal to the Crown. But why? Why did some colonists believe their grievances justified independence, while others–who were often similarly aggrieved–chose not to revolt?To answer this, Trevor Burnard and Andrew Jackson O’Shaughnessy invite us to see the Revolution not just as a national story of the United States, but as part of a larger imperial crisis that spanned the globe. Britain’s challenge was to govern an array of distant, diverse territories during a period of reform and unrest. Turning our attention to colonies that stayed within the empire, we gain a more complex perspective. The Revolution was not only about republicanism, liberty, and democracy; it was also about empire, and the different ways colonial societies and elites responded to imperial governance.For show notes and other material, go to https://www.historicallythinking.org/p/republic-and-empire?r=257pn6; and subscribe to the Historically Thinking Substack at www.historicallythinking.org

In online debates, it’s almost inevitable that sooner or later someone invokes Hitler or the Nazis. That tendency, known as Godwin’s Law, has proven itself on social media thousands of times a day. But the persistence of this comparison points to something deeper than just the cheapening of argument. It reflects how much Hitler and the struggle against Nazism have become the ultimate reference point in our culture’s moral imagination.In this conversation, historian Alec Ryrie explains why we live in what he calls “the Age of Hitler.” For nearly eighty years, he argues, our moral consensus has been defined not by traditional religious frameworks but by the lessons drawn from World War II and the Holocaust. In our stories and our politics, from Star Wars to Harry Potter, the fight against Hitler continues to serve as the archetype of good versus evil. Yet Ryrie warns that this consensus is beginning to erode: both Left and Right are showing signs of moving on. What happens when Hitler no longer defines our common moral language? And what might replace it?For more resources, go to this episode's Substack page: https://www.historicallythinking.org/p/the-age-of-hitler-and-how-we-will?r=257pn6

Peter Fritzsche, a history professor at the University of Illinois and author of '1942: When World War II Engulfed the Globe,' delves into the year 1942 when global conflict erupted. He highlights the overwhelming scale of the war, from Pearl Harbor's pivotal role to the mass displacement of people. Discussing the Holocaust, he emphasizes 1942 as a peak year for extermination. Fritzsche also explores anti-colonial movements, industrial mobilization, and how wartime ideologies shaped nations and their actions, offering a profound look at a tumultuous time.

Mount Fuji is at once instantly familiar and seemingly immutable, yet it always remains strange and changeable. Its postcard-perfect peak is known around the world as a wonder of nature and a symbol of Japan. But behind that outline lies a far more complicated history.Over the centuries, Fuji’s eruptions devastated farmland and terrified villagers. Revered as a sacred presence, its divine inhabitants changed with shifts in belief and power. Once locally known, Fuji later became claimed as a national emblem, its slopes inspiring poetry, painting, and pilgrimage—and serving as the stage for political and economic disputes.In Fuji: A Mountain in the Making (Princeton, 2025), Andrew Bernstein traces this layered story from the mountain’s surprisingly recent geological beginnings to its recognition as a World Heritage Site. The result is a portrait of a place both familiar and unsettled: a mountain still in the making, continually remade by the humans who live with it, use it, revere it, and visit it.For show notes and more, go to the Historically Thinking Substack page for this episode.

We reach for the Cold War as if it were a really good pocket tool: compact, familiar, ready to deal with any problem in today’s world. U.S.–China rivalry? “Cold War 2.0.” Russia and the West? “Cold War redux.” The appeal is obvious: the Cold War offers a story we already know how to tell—great-power tension, nuclear standoff, ideological blocs, and finally, a tidy ending.But as Francis J. Gavin argues, analogies always smuggle in assumptions. To label something a “new Cold War” is to commit to a whole strategic script: decades of rivalry, fixed blocs, and an expectation of how the story ends. But what if the conditions that defined the 20th-century Cold War—its nuclear stability, its institutions, even its duration—don’t apply now? And what if these words “Cold War”that you use do not mean what I mean by the words “Cold War”?Francis J. Gavin is the Giovanni Agnelli Distinguished Professor and Director of the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is the author of Nuclear Statecraft: History and Strategy in America’s Atomic Age and Thinking Historically: A Guide for Policymakers.For notes, links, and a vast archive, go to www.historicallythinking.org

Cynthia Paces, a history professor at The College of New Jersey and author of "Prague: The Heart of Europe," takes listeners on a captivating journey through Prague's tumultuous history. She discusses its evolution from a fortified settlement to a cultural capital under Charles IV, highlighting its architecture and the legacies of figures like Good King Wenceslas and Jan Hus. Paces also sheds light on the city's experiences with antisemitism, Nazi occupation, and communism, ultimately revealing how these shape Prague's identity and resilience today.

In this engaging discussion, Francis J. Gavin, a professor at Johns Hopkins and author of several influential books, delves into how history can significantly enhance public policy. He highlights the necessity for a historical sensibility that nurtures curiosity and humility, helping policymakers navigate complex modern challenges. Gavin argues for the importance of understanding diverse cultural contexts and advocates for bridging the communication gap between historians and decision-makers. His insights reveal how historical narratives can inform contemporary strategy, even in high-stakes geopolitical scenarios.

In this engaging conversation with Barry Strauss, a renowned historian and author, listeners dive into the Second Jewish Revolt and its lasting legacy on modern Israeli identity. Strauss reveals how the revolts not only shaped Judaism but also influenced the rise of Christianity. The podcast explores the intricate dynamics between Jews and Romans, tracing their tumultuous history of rebellion, resilience, and cultural identity. Expect intriguing insights on everything from Simon Bar-Kosiba's legacy to the socio-political turmoil of Judea under Roman rule.

Amanda Roper, a dedicated public historian and advocate for underrepresented narratives, shares her insights into historic preservation. She discusses the evolution of public history and its engagement with wider audiences. Roper delves into the complexities of interpreting plantation history, focusing on the Gullah Geechee people's stories. She highlights the significant yet often overlooked role of women in preservation, advocating for emotional storytelling that connects today's visitors with the past. Her current research promises to shed more light on these vital contributions.

In this engaging discussion, John Shelton Reed, a sociologist and author, unpacks the history of the Ramos Gin Fizz, tracing its origins to 19th-century New Orleans. He shares insights into the city's cosmopolitan influences, from German immigrants to iconic bartenders. The episode highlights how this unique cocktail reflects the cultural fabric of New Orleans. Reed also reminisces about Prohibition's impact and shares the secrets behind the drink's perfect preparation, inviting listeners to savor its rich heritage.